Process for tracing location marks on a canvas base

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with a new process for tracing location marks on a canvas 4 which is to be used in the production of a rug or a tapestry. The canvas 4 is fitted on to the pegs 2 of a plate 1, to reestablish the correct geometry of the meshes of the canvas. Then, a thin sheet 5 carrying a pattern is applied to the canvas. A top-plate 8 presses the sheet against the canvas. This procedure permits the precise positioning of each mark 6 on the corresponding threads of the canvas 4.

United States Patent [F91 I Chretin et a1.

[ PROCESS FOR TRACING LOCATION MARKS ON A CANVAS BASE [76] Inventors: Jean Chretin, 2 bis rue Francisque Jonard, Oullins; Andre Thomasset, 5 Boulevard du 11, Novembre 1918, Villeurbanne, both of France [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1971 211 App1.No.: 131,613

[52] US. Cl 156/1, 156/148, 156/277,

101/426 [51] Int. Cl. B29c 27/30 [58] Field of Search 156/1, 148, 277;

[56] Reler-ences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,978,620 10/1934 Brewster 156/148 X 2,715,089 8/1955 Michener et a1.. 2,464,301 3/1949 Francis 156/277 X Primary Examiner-Roland E. Martin, Jr. Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & MacPeak 57 ABSTRACT The invention is concerned with a new process for tracing location marks on a canvas 4 which is to be used in the production of a rug or a tapestry.

The canvas 4 is fitted on to the pegs 2 of a plate 1, to re-establish the correct geometry of the meshes of the canvas. Then, a thin sheet 5 carrying a pattern is applied to the canvas. A top-plate 8 presses the sheet against the canvas.

This procedurepermits the precise positioning of each mark 6 on the correspondingthreads of the canvas 4.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,755,022

3 Sheets-Shee t 1 INVENTORS JEAN (SHEET/N ANDRE THOMAJJET BY S L QJH wd-Q m Ziuu i wacpmk,

ATTORNEY? Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,755,022

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 28; 1973 C5 Sheets-Sheet :5

E'Lgi PROCESS FOR TRACING LOCATION MARKS 0151 A CANVAS BASE The present invention relates to a process of location capable of being used principally for the manufacture of canvases for rugs or tapestries. It likewise concerns, by way of new industrial products, canvases made according to this process.

There is a known method of making rugs or tapestries by knotting strands of coloured threads to a canvas which is generally woven. The user must be able to locate the position of each coloured thread in relation to the meshes of the canvas in order to obtain the required decorative patterns. For this purpose several methods are currently employed.

A first known method consists of making reference to a plan independent of the canvas, this plan being printed on paper, in colours or numbered according to a code. This plan allows the position of each coloured thread in relation to the meshes of the canvas to be determined. However the following of the plan is difficult, and in the long run tedious.

Another known method consists of using a canvas bearing coloured marks applied directly on to the threads of the warp and weft. This marking may be car ried out with a brush or a stencil. The user is able to locate the placing of each thread to be knotted in relation to its colour which will correspond to the same colour marked on the threads of the canvas. The main disadvantage of this known method of location is the lack of precision ofthe placing of the coloured mark in relation to the mesh of the canvas. Numerous errors may be observed in the reproduction of the painted design which never coincides exactly with the original design. The craft processes used for the colouring of the canvases do not allow the certainty that a particular colour placed on the threads is really in the required place; often the coloured mark is straddling two'meshes of the canvas, obliging the user to make an interpretation as to the positioning or as to the choice of the coloured thread to use. Since the canvases are generally woven supports, they are subject to deformations incompatible with the strict application of paintings, above all if this application is carried out by means of masks and stencils.

The present invention aims to remedy these imperfections whilst using any type of canvas.

Its intention is to avoid these disadvantages by making at small cost a canvas on which the location marks are positioned exactly in relation to the meshes, which prevents any risk of errors in the ultimate carrying out of the work.

The process according to the invention to trace the location marks on the threads forming the meshes of a canvas is characterised in that as a first stage the deformations or imperfections inherent in the crude canvas are corrected in order strictly to re-establish the regular geometry of its mesh by applying it on a rigid plate of a size at least equal to that of the canvas, this plate carrying rigid studs projecting from one of its faces so as each to engage in a given mesh of the canvas, this operation being carried out if needs be by using slight force to produce a relative displacement of the threads of the canvas, after which, as a second stage, while the canvas is still held pegged on the studs of the plate, it is pressed against a thin sheet perforated to correspond with the studs on which it, too, is pegged, this sheet carrying the location marks which thus become imprinted on the threads of the canvas, in strictly determined zones.

It is without importance whether the canvas is first placed on the rigid, plate and then the thin sheet, or the thin sheet first, and then the canvas.

According to a first possible characteristic for carrying out this process, the thin sheet carries printed designs or indications and it is applied (for example, under heat) against the canvas on which it then remains through adhesion.

Following another possible variant, the thin sheet carries printed indications, if required in colour, which mark locally the threads of the canvas during application, after which the now useless thin sheet is removed separately from the canvas which from now on presents coloured threads like a canvas of known type, with the difference that in this case the location marks are precisely positioned, of necessity placed on each mesh in the required position.

Naturally, the thin support sheet may be made in var ious known materials, on condition that these materials be dimensionally stable, in order to present after perforation sufficient firmness for it to be placed on the studs of the plate. For example, this thin sheet may be of paper, of plastics, or of cloth.

The attached drawing, given by way of non-limiting example, will allow the characteristics of the invention to be better understood.

FIG. 1 is an exploded part view showing in perspective one phase of the carrying out of the process according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a transverse section along IIII (FIG. 1) during the phase of hot pressing,

FIG. 3 is a similar section illustrating another variant of application,

FIG. 4 represents an additional variant,

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two possible variants of a canvas according to the invention shown in its final form,

FIG. 7 shows another variant of a canvas according to the invention in which the marks are printed directly on the threads,

FIG. 8 shows schematically a phase in the manufacture of the canvas in FIG. 7.

There is shown in FIGS. I and 2 a possible first method of carrying out the process according to the invention of which one of the phases consists of correcting the deformations or imperfections inherent in the manufacture of the canvases (weaving and finishing). In practice, the distance separating two meshes of a canvas can vary from one mesh to another and, because of this fact, the spacing of the weave is not constant. However, if the distance separating several meshes (20 to 30, for example) taken together is measured, it will be observed that the irregularities are compensated, and that an average spacing may be determined. There are several types of canvas according to the different manufacturers, but it will be seen that each type is characterised by a well-defined average spacing. To simplify the description, only a single type of canvas, of which the average spacing of the meshes is known, will be considered.

In order to re-establish a strict spacing from mesh to mesh, a rigid plate 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is made, for example from metal, and of a size equal to or greater than the size of the canvas used. This plate carries on one of its faces some studs 2, likewise rigid, separated one from another by the same distance 3 as the average spacing of the meshes of the canvas 4 or by a distance which is a multiple of this spacing. The quantity of studs distributed evenly on the plate will be chosen in a sufficient number to re-establish a satisfactory regularity of the position of the meshes with regard to one another. The rigid studs are fixed perpendicular to the surface of the plate and their diameter, if it is a question of cylindrical studs, will be related to the size of the meshes of the canvas. The latter must be easily pegged on the studs and held there. By this process the canvas 4 is held in a flat position, the studs 2 re-establishing a perfect regularity of the meshes in relation to one another.

In addition, a sheet 5, thin but dimensionally stable, is printed. This sheet may be of paper, plastics, cloth etc. There are printed on it coloured marks 6 arranged with the same spacing 3 as the meshes of the canvas previously described. The arrangement of the coloured marks is such that they reproduce a decorative pattern. Before or after the printing of the colours, the support may be perforated with holes 7 of an appropriate shape- (round, square etc. these holes being made with the same spacing 3 as the coloured marks, hence with the same spacing as the meshes of the canvas. The perforations are placed near to each coloured mark. The number of perforations in the thin sheet is not necessarily equal to the number of the canvas; it may be equal only to the number of studs. This lack of perforations would not incommode the user who would be able to perforate the thin sheet in the necessary places by means of the hook which he is using to knot the coloured threads around the threads of the canvas.

It is then possible to place the thin coloured sheet on the canvas held in position on the rigid plate 1 owing to the rigid studs 2. The holes 7 of the thin sheet being made with the same spacing 3 as the meshes of the can- 'vas 4, the studs of the rigid plate will allow the thin been given to the coloured marks. Similarly, the holesof the thin sheet will be positioned opposite the meshes of the canvas, that is to say, the holes in the canvas formed by the crossing of the threads of warp and weft.

The result sought for and obtained with this process being to make a certain coloured mark correspond with a certain position of the threads of the canvas, the regularity of these reciprocal locations is obtained owing to the rigid plate and its studs. It is of no importance whether the canvas 4 is first placed on the rigid plate 1 and then the thin sheet 5 (FIGS. 1 and 2), or whether the thin sheet 5 first and then the canvas 4 (FIG. 3); it is only necessary that it should be the face of the thin sheet which is not printed which is in contact with the canvas 4. t

A counter-plate 8, possibly rigid and of the same dimensions as the plate 1 carrying the studs 2, will be applied to the assembly, the pair canvas 4 and printed thin sheet 5" being compressed between the two rigid plates 1 and 8. The counter-plate 8 has holes 10 to allow the studs 2 of the other plate 1 to enter in order that they do not resist the pressure of the counter-plate 8 on the plate 1. The plate 1 may be fitted on its pressing face with an elastic layer 9 in order to improve the contact between the canvas 4 and the thin printed sheet The counter-plate 8 may be replaced by a cylinder 11 moving on the rigid plate 1 and causing a pressure in accordance with its generating lines (FIG. 4). Grooves or sockets 12 corresponding to the holes 10 are then worked in the surface of the cylinder 11 to receive the studs 2 which do not resist its movement.

The printed sheet 5 or the canvas 4, or both, will have been previously treated to allow the sticking or the welding together of these two components; this welding is facilitated by the pressure of the rigid components 1 and 8 or 1 and 11 one against the other with the addition of heat if required to engender the adherence of the thin sheet 5 to the canvas 4.

Heating may be carried out by electrical resistances 13 arranged along the threads of the canvas 5, within one of the plates 1 or 8 which is in direct contact with the thin sheet 5. For example, in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2, the resistances 13 are included in the counterplate 8. On the other hand, in the variant of FIG. 3, the resistances 13 are arranged within plate 1.

The application of heat may equally be carried out, not by the heating of resistances 13, but by high frequency heating or by a ultra-sonic device.

When the assembly 4-5 is extracted by pulling it off the studs 2 of the plate 1, there is obtained a canvas according to the invention which may, for example, present the appearance shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the case of FIG. 5, it will be seen that the coloured marks 14 of the sheet 5 remain strictly positioned on the threads of the canvas 4 to which they are adhering. The perforations 7 or 15 of the sheet 5 coincide with those of the meshes of the canvas, it being understood, as has been mentioned above, that certain of the mshes of the canvas may remain temporarily blocked by the sheet 5.

In the variant in FIG. 6, the sheet 5 carried, not coloured marks, but coded indications which, too, are positioned precisely on the threads of the canvas 4. These references 16 give indications as to the colour or the nature of the thread to knot at that point on the canvas There is shown.in FIGS. 7 and 8 another variant in which the sheet 5 carries marks or references of which the colour prints locally on the threads of the canvas 4 when the assembly is compressed under heat between the plates 1 and 8 (FIGS. 2 or 3) or between the plate 1 and the cylinder 11 (FIG. 4). In this case, it is the printed face of the sheet 5 which is applied against the canvas 4. In addition, the sheet 5 does not adhere to the canvas 4 and, after the assembly is pulled from the studs 2, the sheet 5 is drawn away as shown in FIG. 8. Only the variously coloured location marks 17 remain applied directly to the threads of the canvas. Finally, a canvas 4 manufactured according to this variant of the invention (FIG. 7) offers apparently the same appearance as a canvas of known type, with this difference, that here the location marks 17 are all distributed according to a strict positioning on the threads of the meshes of the canvas 4.

Naturally, the process of application under heat which has just been described with reference to the drawings only constitutes a non'limiting example of the carrying-out of the invention; the thin sheet could equally well be applied cold.

We claim:

1. A process for positioning and providing location indicating means on the threads forming the meshes for a pile fabric canvas foundation comprising impaling said canvas on a plurality of evenly spaced studs projecting from a support plate to evenly space at least some of said threads to reestablish the regularity of the position of the meshes, impaling a sheet of material having location indicating means over at least some of said studs and pressing said sheet into intimate adherent engagement with said canvas.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate is at least as wide and as long as said canvas.

3. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sheet is impaled and pressed on said canvas subsequent to impaling said canvas on said studs.

4. A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising subsequently separting said sheet from said canvas and transferring said location indicating means from said sheet to said canvas.

5. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the impaling of said canvas is accomplished by force to provide relative displacement of the threads of said canvas.

6. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sheet is impaled on said studs prior to impaling said canvas on said studs.

7, A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising providing said sheet with location indicating means in the form of perforations.

8. A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising providing said sheet with location indicating means by perforating said sheet.

9. A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising heating said sheet and said canvas to facilitate the adherence of said sheet to said canvas. 

2. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate is at least as wide and as long as said canvas.
 3. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sheet is impaled and pressed on said canvas subsequent to impaling said canvas on said studs.
 4. A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising subsequently separting said sheet from said canvas and transferring said location indicating means from said sheet to said canvas.
 5. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the impaling of said canvas is accomplished by force to provide relative displacement of the threads of said canvas.
 6. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sheet is impaled on said sTuds prior to impaling said canvas on said studs. 7, A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising providing said sheet with location indicating means in the form of perforations.
 8. A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising providing said sheet with location indicating means by perforating said sheet.
 9. A process as set forth in claim 1 further comprising heating said sheet and said canvas to facilitate the adherence of said sheet to said canvas. 